That totals $3.3 million, accumulated between 2007 and 2012, that is sitting in the state’s system.

“What happens with unclaimed property is that when it goes dormant, the ‘holder’ (financial institution or other entity) must file a holder report with Treasury and remit the unclaimed property,” spokeswomanElizabeth Foose said in an email. By law, after five years, holders must turn over abandoned property to the Treasury.

However, that report relies on estimates landowners are receive the state’s minimum royalty– 12.5 percent (some have negotiated higher amounts).

A number of landowners have complained recently that they’re not receiving that minimum amount. They say some companies are taking out excessive deductions– known as “post-production” costs for moving the gas from the wellhead to the market.

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About StateImpact Pennsylvania

StateImpact Pennsylvania is a collaboration between WITF and WHYY. Reporters Katie Colaneri, Marie Cusick, and Susan Phillips will cover the fiscal and environmental impact of Pennsylvania’s booming energy economy, with a focus on Marcellus Shale drilling. Read their reports on this site, and hear them on public radio stations across Pennsylvania.